International Socialist Congress

19 10

Eig-ht hundred and eighty-seven deleg:ates met in the eig-hth In- ternational Socialist Congress, held at the Concert Palace, Copen- hag-en, Denmark, from Aug-ust 28 to September 4, 1910. Of these Gernmny sent 189 deleg-ates, France 78. Austria 72, I-lohemia 3(5, G'reat Britain 84, Russia 38, Italy 9, United States 24. Belgium 26 Sweden lo, Denmark 146 Pohmd 17, Switzerland 13, Hungary 14 Finland 19 I-Iolland 14. Nbrway 31, Spain 3. Armenia 4, Servia 3, Arg-entma 1, Bulgaria 7, Rouniania 2.

The Congress opened with a cantata composed by the Danish Socialist composer and poet, A. P. Meyer. The first half of the can- tata c osed with the Marseillaise, and before the beginning- of the second half Dr Giistav Ran.g said on behalf of the Social Democrats of Denmark: We have tried in this cantata to express the .senti- ment that les at the foundation of this meeting, that of the inter- national solidarity of the struggflingr proletariat of all lands. From the first Denmark has been a member of tlie international Socialist moyeinent and we have taken groat care lo preserve our relations with the Socialists of other countries. We have alway.H made the g-reatest eftort to do onr i>art whenever strug-glcs have tirisen between capital andlabor in other countries. Tn fact, the call 'Workers of the vvorJd, Unite, has l)oconK> kn- the Danes more than mere words* it lias entered into their blo<Kl."

With the close of tlte second part of the cantata the members of the International Sociali.^t Bureau took their places and Kniile Van- dcrvclde of lielgium declared the C<mg^eJ^.^ ofTkially optni

Secretary Staunin.g- of the Social Democratic" Party of Copen- hag-en, received the Cong-rea.s in the name nt the Danish Socialists In part, he said: "F<:}r forty years the Danes have ba.^eil tlieir or- gani?:ation and their press on the principles of international Socialism Denmark is a little country. We have nothing- of g^reat size to show to our vLsitin^ comrades, but we can point to our lOO.OOO Socialist votes, to the 28 Socialist deputies, to the fact that we hold one-half the .seats in the Chy Onmcil of Copenhagen, that we have. 33 Socialist papers and over 120.000 snb.scnber.s. that our economic organizations number 120,000 member.^, and that we have .succeeded in rai.sing both the economic and intellectual standard of the "ivorkcr.s of Denmark" The preliminary work of an International Socialist Congress* is done m the committees made up of member.s from each country who prepare resolutions to present to the Congress on the variouV sub- jects that make tip the aijcnda. *

International .Secretar-y- Huvsmans of Belg-tum laid before the Congress the list of stttujects that would l>e handled hy five coramit-

■ ■ . 3

tees The subjects thus presented to the eighth International Con- Irnc^'c for consideration were: 1. Relations Between Co-Operative Sxaan£ation?aud PoStiral Parties. 2. The Trade Union Question rnrin^ernadoSal Solidarity. 3. Arbitration and Disarmament and the Speedy Execution of Resolutions Passed ^^.the Internatioxaai Con-- sress 4. International Results of Labor Legislation and the Ques- tion of UnemDlovment. 5. Resolutions. ■

Tlie folTowSg three days were occupied with the meetmgs o the various committees. It is impossible to give even a brief report of the meetings of the committees, as each committee held seveial ?oni seTsions. The most difficult and probably the most valuable woS< of the Congress is, however, done in these committees.

The first general session of the Congress, held on September 1, was TresiSed o%er by Branting of Sweden. In a brief address he said that since the Stuttgart Congress, Sweden had been able to double the number of fts Socialist representatives in the second house, and that there are now 35 Socialist deputies m Sweden.

The first res'Sfuti on brought before the Congress was the one on the question of the unemployed.

I

Resolution on Question of Unemployed.

Tho Conoress declares that unemployment is inseparable froni the cap-

''"'™Tco'\iRre« "kMnands the institution by public authorities ""d'.r the

public aiithorities —

""*°(S)°No'' llymiM 10 a„ „„omployad worker to causo the lo,s of political

oTS; 'I'io'ns'^ "y tnS^^ these lubddies leaving complete au-

tonomy to the trade union.

nr Adolf Braun of Vienna, reporter for the ■ committee, spoke . Dr. ^Adoii iii aun "^.^ J' \ ^ j^ u^^^ have all learned how

first on the ""f ^/^^^^ ^;" P^J is in X lives of the laboritig class.

r"Se UnSJi S^tTs in Ti^^^^^^^ Austria and Japan we

^L^i^ble cri|. ^---f riSI^ tS?lSl

hlttlsSfen n S very ^ fT'^ft

that It IS sliaKen m 1 J when hundreds of thousands of famdies

mttSto iun'gry! The Standpoint of the Socialists on the unemployed

t

15 perfectly clear. We know that unemployment is inseparably asso- ciated %vith the ca])ilah«;t .system, tmcl that we cannot abolish it as long- as the capitalist method of production exists. We also know that while this method of production continues we must do all we can to lessen the misery of tlic working class. We must seek, as far as possible, to lessen the sufYerin"^ from unemployment and do this through the pressure we can bring* to bear on the ruling class. To- day, as it stands, the working- class alone must bear the cost of out- ot-work. But the burdens that the trade unions have taken upon themselves are too terribly *;^reat. V/c demand, therefore, public, leg-al. universal and obligatory support of the unemployed by the state, that shall relieve the unions of all things that do not belong to the work of the unions in the narrowest sense."

J, R. MacDonald of EnRland objected to the resolution, saymg that the British section wished that a demand for the rig-ht to work at fair wages should be a part of any resolution on the unemployed adopted l>y the Congress. MacDonald was supported by Quelch. To this Braun replied' that, while MacDonald looked upon the placing" of the right to work as the foremost article in the resolution as being: very radical, the Gernuuis had a dififerent impression of this right. ^'As is well known, the 'rii^ht to work' is already a part of the Prus- sian constitution. In 1848 it ^ave rise to the national workshops. Now MacDonald binds the ri.t>ht to work with the idea of fair wag-es. P>ut a capitalist scxdetv cannot fulfdl this demand, Wc must there- fore seek to miti,i:;'nte '"the effects of unemi)Ioyment with palliatives. Not by means of the ri^rht to work, but by the abolition of capitahsm, can unemploynuMit alone be ahobshed."

When the vote was taken, MacDonald and Quelch announced that the British delegation would refrain from votiuR'. Brouchere of France also amunuiccd. after the vote, that a number of the French had refrained from ViUini^;. A part of the American delega- tion voted for and a part against the resolution. The resolution was ■ passed, however, by a lart^e majority.

I'he followinjx resolution on the unemployed, drawn up by the British delegation, was not presented to the Congress, but was en-- culatetl as a Conf^ress document:

British Resolution on Unemployed*

In view of the prr>tt:st nuule in the ConKrcsB on Thursday by the British and other sectioim^ that iho. resohuion on uneniplayment was neither satis- factory in Its ,statcmcntH of th<^ problem nor in its proposals for nction, tlie undersigned, on behalf of their national sections, sul>mit to the Congress th<» folUnvhij^ nunnoranthnn:

(1) Ihicmploynwnt ib the re^^idt of the capitalist organi/,ation of society and cannot be dinsociatcd from it.

(2) While capitalism exists, measures must be adopted, however, to deal with the problem.

(3) Thei^c measures must not merely he palliative, bttt must contain the- Kerms of the organization of the Socialist CommonweaUh, and be the be- mnnhig- of the permanent or>^ani'^ation of the national resources, and of pro- duction, industrial and agricultural, on a co-operative bajiis,

(4) Kelief works, opened only when unemidoymcnt is acute and closed when it becomes normal, must be condemned.

(5) The action of the state in deulhig ^yith unemployment should be based

5

upon a recognition of the rig-lit to work or maintenance by. the state, on the following lines:

(a) Official, full and accurate unemployed statistics.

(b) Arrangement of the worfc of the state and municipality so as to or- g:anize and make steady, as far as possible, the demand for labor.

(c) Legislation reducing the working hours, making eight hours a day; or 48 hours a week the maximum, and eliminatintv, as far as possible, sweatin^g, child labor and other forms of competition which increase poverty.

(d) Insurance for which the state shall be responsible. *

(e) A national system of labor exchanges under the control of trade unions,

(f) The establishment of state departments charged with the development in the interests of the community of all forms of national resources now neglected or inadeqautely used.

(g) It must be a condition of any form of assistance granted to the un- employed workers by the state that it does not involve loss of political rights, and that it is available to all sections of the working class and to both sexes.

The Resolutions Committee presented to the Cong;ress resolu- tions on the death penalty, on unity, on Japan, Turkey, Spain, Persia and Finland.

Resolution on the Death Penalty,

The earliest development of capitalist enlightetmient stigmatized the death penalty as a barbarous relic of the dark Middle Ages. To the revo- lutionary bourgeoisie the ideals of progress and humanity were^ x\o empty words, and its best representatives in all countries proclaimed their antagon- ism to the cold-blooded, judicial, systematic murder of human bemgs as a disgrace to civilization. Tlie sharper and more violent struggle between the bourgeoisie and the modern proletariat that is coming more and more into

the iightmg proletariat, in Germany recenlly a lew degenerates oi ^science and art, shining representatives of capitalist intelligence, decJartuI for the necessity of the death penalty. In the republic of France a proposed hiw abolishing the death penalty was in recent years defeated. In the tJnited States of North America the death penalty i^ uso<l as a weapon a^'uin^t the organized stru^glin^ proletariat. The incomparable Kaorifice of the Chic^ago judicial murder, made in the battle for the eig-ht-hour day, came near btnnj? followed more recently by the sacrifice of the leaders of the minors who were fighting for their existence. In Spain a reactionary administration has utilisied judicial murder as a weapon o£ battle and revenue uRainst the efforts for free- dom of the proletariat; in Rtissia. a country where the death penalty for civil offenses was long* ago abolished, the hanf^man works without ceasing- since the great revolutionary uprising of the laborers, and especially since the victory of the counter-revolution. Thousands upon thousands, after the merest parody of a military trial, have been executed. A stream of blood has flowed over the entire Russian empire. All this is taking place before the eyes of the whole civilized world, without the representatives of capitalist intelligence and Western European culture darinj? to make any strong pro- test, and, indeed, it has been done with the moral and financial support of the bourg'eoisie of Europe. The particular group of capitalist intellectuals that was aroused to the hig'hest decree by the case of the free thinker Ferrer looks quietly upon the wholesale murders b^f which the corrupt Russian abso- lutismi seeks to choke the revolutionary uprising- of the Russmn proletariat,

Today, in consequence of these facts, the Socialist proletariat is the strong-est and most faithful champion in the battle against the death penalty. Only through the widespread education conducted by the Socialist parties, only through the cultural elevation of the great working masses by means

of pohticul and Gcononuc activity, only throuj^h the increasing power of the urKanixed proieturint of all cotintries. can any strong upi^osition be offered to the (leatJi penalty, which is a clisjiTace to civilization.

ihe representatives of the politically and economically organized pro- letariat_ ol al! conntrjcs, assembled in Copenhagen, hold np for the strongest dentinciation the active and passive defender^' of bloody jiuUcial murder in all forms.

They (U-mand of the parliamentary representatives of the working- class tn all ctnuunes tliat they take every opportitnity to secure the abolition of the death pena ty. These parliamentary efforts, as with all other political meaHtrres, should he supported by an active aRitation in meetincf.s and in the labor press for the abolition of the death penalty.

Resolution on Unity.

The International Congress calls to mind once more the resolutions of the Amsterdam Confrrcss relatinM' to the unity of the party? and

In consideration that the proletariat is an undivided unity and conse- (luentty every sectton of the International must form a united and solid |,|roup and as hotmd to get rid of their international divisions in the interest ot the working: class of their own country and the entire world; t i.\.\\- consideration that the Socialist movement m France is in^ ciehted to their nnihcation for an enormons increase of strength and inHuence: ^ tne t.ongrcKS demands froni alt national sections who are still divided to nmtc as .soon as possible, and calLs on the Bureait to help in brinuine this aijout, "

Resolution on Japan.

The International Socialist ConRress of Copenhagen emphatically con- (lenins the measures lalceit l>y the Jaiuinese governnient to oppress the labor

tnoii. in uie Japanese proletariat Coward liberty, emancipation and cnltur una tobvinj.'; them down to the level of an impotent and helpk:,^H class.

Ihi^ (.nnKres^S rta-*>Mni^tnj- the immense iniportance of the emancipation o| the Japanese proletariat for the liberation of the proletariat of the entire woiid, IS eonseuMts that the development of capitalism now Knin^^ on in Asia HI .<o rapul a nianner prepares the soil for Socialist seed; it assures the young- prfilelaruit of Jujian^ which is awakening imd wJrieh desires to strn^wgle airuiuKt Us cruel exploiit^-s. of the fuHest sympathy of all- the Socialist parties.

IheC.ongre.ss IS only doin^ it.s duty in expressini,^ frotn its heart Its rveoKtnlion o* ami admtratton for the valiant and intrepid fiHliters in the advance Kiiard of Socialism in Japan, who alone and nntlev ti»e most difficult condUions lead the battle against the external policy of warlike expansion and tite international policy of oppression and who by that drive the cause of the international proletariat in a very real manner.

ni

Resolution on the Situation in Turkey* In conj^ideratjon of—-

1. The colonial poHcy practiced by the European capitalist states in regard to

2. Tlie proclamation of a constttution which confers nn each citi?:en the rifrhts of man and of Cftiiiien.

3. The violation of the rights of union and of strike by ihe Kovenntient of rurkey.

4. The disastrouss conseciuenees of an autocratic policy in regard to the labor class of Turkey.

The Inleniational Socialist Congress of Copeidiagen declares:

That this abominahie capitalist and colonial policy of the European states can only be effectively eom!>ated by thorough democratic and con-

stitutional reforms in the Balkan states and by a pacific understandmi? amont? the sovereign peoples of these states, such as today is alone represented by Social Democracy in opposition to the gfovernments of the l^aUcan as or other European states.

The Congress protests against the reactionary policy of tho_ \ oiing Turkish government, and especially against the laws directed against tic trade unions and strikes, and sends its fraternal greetings to the upspringing Socialist movement in Turkey,

Resolution on Spain.

The International Socialist Congress ^of i^openlmgen,_ [» yiew. ^J J}]^^ tra dui the

by the collective action of the proletariat, opposed the co onial adventure in Morocco, protests against the barbarous repression of which our oonirades of Barcelona and other towns have been the victims and, in partictilar, against the pseudo-juridical assasshiation of Ferrer, and welcomes m the elecUun of Comrade Iglesias. the first representative^ of the working class elected m tiie capital of the monarchy itself, the decisive sign of the awakening of the class consciousness of the Spanish workers.

Resolution on Persia.

Considering

That, since the commencement of the Persian revolution and just m consequence of the Anglo-Russian agreement, the Czar s govtU'nrnent has used every means possible to bring about the failure of the constitution:*!

That 'on several occasions they even intervened with an nruied fore*' und<

of

Persian aemut:! iitn, tnn-i Liitov, i-^ w^^.^r .*»... v-.- ^"- ,.^... ..^ - ^ * .

ince of Aderbeidjan (Tcbriz) openly dealt rigorously with the uiHurKt'nt.s and the leaders belonging to the party "Daschnaktzoutunm ;

That the lUissian government oven yet, through the^mtornuuhary t if its many secret agents, continues its intrigues and provocations in Persia; that a considerable number of troops still remain on Persian territory, in spite of the reiterated protests of the McdjHs and of the cabinet J^t lelierun;

That the same Russian government is actively * at work m iurkey. especially in Armenian Turkey, for the purpose ,of exciting the ftnuUU Kurds, the most reactionary element of Turkey, aj^rainst^the Armcnums. thuK fomentine disturbances and provoking a counter-revolution; , ., ^ ,

That the Russian ambassadors at CoastantinopJc and Icharikpnit and the Russian consul at Erzeroum have had special instructions to this effect;

Considering, iu short , , * . , . .* . n - i

That czarism, victorious in its liberticule march in Us own terntoruvs anti profoundly hating- the constitutional order established on its two frontiers, m attempting: with system and perseverance to restore the regime of abso- lutism in Persia and Turkey. ^ , . , ...'

In the presence of these two grave facts, which constitute a permanent danger for the two young democracies of the Orient, t. t

The Congress calls upon the Socialist parties of luiropc to use all the means in their power to put an end to the reactionary dealing of c^ansm.

Resolution on Finland,

*■-

The International Socialist Congress at Copenhagen strongly condemns the barbarous and dishonest policy of the Russian government and the reactionary representatives of the possessing class in the Duma and the Council of State — a policy which aims at the total suppression of the autom--

mxiy unci of the liberty won by Finhuul and a policy wliich will make it the most oppressed province in the empire.

The CongTOss ariirins that, by its policy toward Finland, the Tsarist ,t;^)vernmcnt has cynically taken back all the ^iniranties solemnly given in ^ ./f *V^", i^ snpprossed its secular constitntion in defiance of the formal will of tile l;innish people, of the best part of European opinion and of the opnnun ol the most eminent jurists.

It also afJirms that the brutal suppression of Finnish autonomy is only one conscHitience of a whole system of savage oppression of all nationalities. non-Kussian eqtially with Russian, an oppression carried on by a band of asaas^sins cloakmjar themselves with a pretended constitutionalisnu

Sceingr that the dominant classes of Kurope and the great organs of the press, while they fornutlate platonic professions in favor of Finland, in fact sustain tyranny by all the means at their disposal, and. seeing that the I;uinish Socialists are engaged in a serious struggle to save democratic liberty and the right of the Finnish people to control themselves, which con- cerns not only Socialism but democratic liberty, the Congress expresses its conhdence in the energy, the courage and the perseverance of the proletariat of h inland.

It is convinced that the proletariat of Finland will march on hi accord with the working class of Russia struggling in solidarity aeainst the same regime of oppression.

It invites all the Socialist parties and all the sincere democrats' of the entire world to protest, by ^ivt^Ty means in their power (press, parliament, public meetings, etc.), against the '^coup de force" directed against Finland. I he Congress instructs the International Socialist Bureau to take steps to orgam/.e in every country a demonstration as complete and powerful as nos- Mble of the Socialist proletariat in favor of Finland.

Ellenliog-eu of Austria was reporter for the Resolutions Com- uutt<H» and spoke to sonic len^^th on the resolutions, Daniel De Leon, speaking- on the Unity resolution, charf^H'd that the SociaUst Labor l:*arty had made offers of unity to the Socialij^t Party, but that they ha<l been rejected Ijy the SociuH.st Party*

Morris llillquit replied to De Leon. In part, he said: **The KocuiliHt Parly in America .stands for the union of all Socialirit forces hi the IJniunl States, it does not Bland for this .simply in a platonic ntanniT, hut has shown its sincerity by Us deculs. Our party is itself the i»ro<iuct of unity. In PJOO the Socialist movement of America was split into various parlies and grou|>s. The Socialist P'arty became the center of unity and invited all Socialist orgauiitations to send <lelej^ates to the Unity Convention of P?OL AH such org-aniKations resprnided with the exception of that wing of the Socialist Labor l*arty which was headed by De Leon. After the union we made great prog-ress, and since then almost all the earher members of the Socialist I^al>or Turty have conw to us, (.Comrade De Leon, if you are in earnest in what you say, if you really desire tinity in the true spirit of SociaHsm in order to comlxtt our common enemy, then you are welcome, as yt>u always have I>een, to cfur ranks-

"The Socialist Party of America stands in accord with the fun- damental principles of international Sochilism in theory and practice. We are in friendly relations with the workers in the unions. We cannot conceive of a Socialist movement that does not have the mass of the workers behind it. Of Comrade De Leon's vagaries in his relations to the hidustrial organisations of labor we have only to in.stance the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance and the Industriar Workers of the World. And so I say to Comrade De Leon if he is

9

ready to thi'ow aside all his unsocialistic fads wc will need no fur- ther conferences or conventions/'

In conclusion, Hillqnit' called attention to tlie fact that De Leon's constant slanderous attacks upon the Socialist Party could hardly be considered a very effective method for bring-ing- about unity with that party, and j^ointed out that the report submitted by the Socialist Labor Party xo the Cong-ress, which was nothing- but senseless abuse of the Socialist Party, stood in glaring* contradiction to his protestci- tions of friendshiiD and alleged desire for unity.

Replying: also to De Leon, Victor L. Berg-er said: ''The American Socialists are unanimous for unity. The best proof of this is that ten years ag*o we had two parties with about five thousand each, while today we have one party -with about 53,000 dues-paying- members antl another with not quite one thousand. Is not that almost as good as unity? These one thousand are also welcome today or tomorrow if they will accept our platform and stop fighting* the unions. We will vote for the Unity resolution and promise yoxi that within the next three years ^ve will comjiletely solve the unity question, for by that time only De Leon himself will stand outside the party. We in Ainerica are also working- all the time for unity."

All of the foreg^oing resolutions pi'Cgented by the Resolutions Committee were accepted by the Congress^ much applause being heard when the resolution on Finland was adopted, The American dele- gates voted unanimously for the resolution's.

The I'esolution dealing with arbitration and disarmament, with a stib-ainendment by Kier Hardie and Viaillant, came next before the Cong:ress,

Resolution on Arbitration and Disarmament.

The Conprress declares that the armaments of the nations have atnrmhif^ly increased during^ recent yearsj in spite of the peace conj^re.sses and the prnt^s- tations of peaceful intention on the part of the governments. Particularly does this apply to the greiieral movement of the governments to increase the naval armament whose latest phase is the construction ' of "dread- noug^lits.** This policy leads not only to an insane waste of national re- sonrces for unproductive purposes, and therefore to the curtailment of means for the rcEiHs^ation of necessary social reforms in the interest of the vvorkini^ class, but it^also threatens all nations with financial ruin and exluuistion through the xnstipportable burdens of indirect: taxation.

These armaments have but recently endangered the peace of the world, as they always will. In view of this development which threatens all achieve- ments of civilization, the well-beinp^ of nations and the very life of the mass^is, this Cong-resa rcafiirms the resolutions of the former- International Cong:resses and particularly that of the Stuttg-art Congress.

The workers of all countries have no qiiarrels or difference which could lead to war. Modern wars are the result of capitalism, and particularly of rivalries of the capitalist classes of the different countries for the world market, and of the spirit of militarism, which is one of the main instruments of capitalist class rule and of the economic and poUtijcal siibjiig-ation of the working-class. Wars will cease conipletely only with the disappearance of the . capitalistic mode of production. The working- class, which "bears the main burdens of war and suffers most from its effects, has the greatest inter- est in the prevention of wars. The org^anized Socialist workers of all coun- tries are therefore the only reliable g^uaranty of universal peace. The Con- gress therefore a.j|:ain calls upon the labor organizations of all countries to continue a vigorous propag:anda of enlightenment as to the causes of war

to

-imoiiK ;iU workers, and iKirtictilarly amonj-r the younjv people, in order to educate tUcTn in the sph'it of international brotherhood.

The Consrt;s>i, reiterating the oft-repeated duty of Socialist representa- tives in the parhaments to coiiihut militarism with all means at their com- niand and to rcfiiso ilie means for armaments, requires from its representa- tives—

in) '.rhe consitant reiteration of the dcnjand that international arbitration be made compulsory in all international disputes.

(b) Persistent and repeated proposals in the direction of ultimate com- plete diKurniament; and, above all, as a first step, the conclusion of a general treaty binning naval armaments and abroijating: the ri^ht of privateering.

[*^) T'^? demand for tlie ai>olition of secret diplomacy and the publication of all exJstiniiT »ncl future af^reementK between the g*overnments.

(d) The s:uaranty of the independence of all nations and their protection from mibtary attacks ami violent suppression.

ufHrms the rcsokition of the Stuttgart Congress, which reads:

In ca.se of war bein^^ imminent, llie working: classes and their parlia-

-^. --, „ — ---.. purpo..^ w ***v.«.**« „***^.*

appear to them the most efRcacicus, and which must naturally vary according- to the acuteness of the strug-^jle of chisscs, and to the general political con- ditions.

In case war should break nut notwithstanding-, they shall be bound to intervene for it.s beinst iH-ouirht to a speedy end. and to employ all their forces for utibxing the economical and political crisis created hy the war, in ofc-der to rouse the tnasses of the people and to hasten the downbreak of the predommance of the capitalist class.

For the proper execution of these measures tiie Congress directs the Bureau, in the event of u war menace, to taJce immediate steps to hrin^r ahout an agreement amonj^ the lahor parties of the countries alTected for united union to prevent the threatened war.

Sub-Amendment. Amonfi: the means to htx used in order to prevent and hinder war, the Congress consider*^ a^ particuhirly enicacious thts general strike, especially in the induf^tnes that supply war with its implements (arms and ammuni- tion, transport, etc.)i as well as the pnjpaKanda and popular action in their most active forms,

KEIR HARDIE, It:. VAILI.ANT,

Ledebour of Gernnmy spoke at considerable length in favor of the rcsohition presented by the conunittee. Kicr Hardic, who had been instrumental in drawing up the sttb-aniendmentj said in part: "The l^reat tiuestian before tis is tliat of hintkn-ing- war and furthering" dis- animnient. On thin question the English Labor Party take^fi a clear poaition. We are not only against war, but also against niilitarism* We maintain that the army and navy are llie brtital means used by the modern state to maintain the possessing- class m the enjoyment of privileg-es. By no means do we wish to subscribe to the tise of the gr^neral strike against the dan^^er of war at all times in all na- tions. We only desire to say to th^ workijig class of ail lands that V if it ttnites its economic strength, the power of the working class is

s^ufficient to make war impossible,"

Vanderyelde of Belg-itmi Introduced an amendment providing: that the Congress send the sub-amendment of Kier Hardie and

It . .

Vaillant to the International Bureau for study of the subject, and that at the next International Cong-ress a report be presented on the investigations made. Both Kiev Tiardic and Vaillant agreed to this and' the Vandervelde amendment Avas accepted by the CongTCSs. '^

Tlie resolution on arbitration and disarmament as reported by the f

committee was then adopted, A

The Congress then took tip the discussion of the resolution on 4^

the unity of trade unions.

Resolution on the Unity o£ Trade Unions,

The International Socialist Congress in Copenhagen renews the Stuttgart resolution on the relations between die political parties and the trade unionii, especially with regard to the point that the unity of the industrial organii^a- tion should be kept in mind in each state and is an essential condition of successful strug-gle against exploitation and oppression.

In polyglot states the, united trade unions nuist, of course, take into ac- count the cultural and linguistic needs of all their members. ^

The Congress further dechires that any attempt to break niternationally united trade unions into nationally separastic parts contradicts the aim of this resolution of the International Socialist Congress. . ^ . t

The International Socialist Bureau and the International Secretariat of Trade Unions are requested to offer their services to the organizations directly interested, in order to eliminate the conilicts on this subject, m a spirit of Socialist good will and brotherhood.

This resolution, together with the following", called forth^ by the situation in Bohemia, was adopted by the Congress, the American delegation casting- its vote in favor of them.

Resolution on Bohemia.

The International Socialist Congress of Copenhagen, referring- to the resolution of the Stuttgart Congress, 1907, on the relations between the political and trade organizations, draws attention to the fact that^ thtj pra- letarian class strnggrle can only show results when cordial co-operation exints between the political and trade organizations. ...

The Congress emphatically declares that, in the sense a£ this as in the '5ense of former resolutions of International Congresses, the struggle for the emancipation of the proletariat necessitates political and trade union unity, as well as the solidarity of the proletariat of every nationality, so that thene two branches of the labor movement can only act independently or each other in the sense of the Stuttgart resolution, but always In accordance ami in cordial relation with the mutual object of the proletariat. The unity of the workers of every nation is the basis of the international solidarity of the

workers of all nations. ^ , . .

The Congress declares that every effort to destroy the existing unity of the working class of each nationality is contrary to the principles af inter- nationaV SociaUsm- Whenever in any state or nationality fienous dis^ute^ arise between the political party and the trade unions, the Internationa! Bureau shall be authorized and bound to take all necessary measures ta reconcile the parties iti dispute, and to endeavor to regulate their mutual relations so as to give effect to the intentions of the International.

The last day of the Congress opened with the discussion on the resolution on international solidarity.

Resolution on International Solidarity*

The International Socialist Labor Cong^ress of Copenhagen, emphasiasin^j the essentially international spirit of the proletarian movement and remein-

berinK tho Iradttinn?^ of active HnlidnrUy which owe their oript ^^ the first International, api^cals to xvorldnf-mou of every country that they fulhlltaicir duty of soluhirity eacii time that a strua^^le bct\ve<^n capital and laboi takes on Kuch dinuMisujus that it is evident that the workingmcn of the country cnrairtMl in battle art- nut abie to hold thoir own a^auist the enemy •witlmut heh. and that thcv assist their comrades in tiic fight by means of sul>sidies, cominK Uxni^ all ^udt?s, accordin.^- t*) the proletarian forces of each country.

Such acliou i« all the more necessary since the org-ani^atton of the op- poHcd forces is IjeiuK accelerated in proportion as the working class, by its united action, i^ ijve.'^sinf^r capitalism. Capitalint power is concentrating^ itseil in the mQantic trusts, in cartels and in national and international employers unions On the other hand, the workinj^nien arc combining their forces, m the' first place, in national !a1)or confederations. Under the pressiu-e of this concentratuHi of forces in the two opposed camps, the class struffei<2 alters its aspect and takes new ancl vaster proportiotis. One can therefore be inepared for ^i-tu^viil ^yndical ^trufcv^rles. brought about by the lockouts n a bU scaU% such an the one. in Denmark of 1S99. in Sweden of 1909, or of Germinv of iVhO, Thu>i. the clasH strug-^'le benig extended and orj-amzed inore and tncnx', it wiU in future be still more nr|rently neces.sary to concen- trate tie forces of the htbr.r clasn in the whole world, promptly and vi^^^oi- m sly so as to he preparvni ^or the day when workniRnien ot every country irrof\Tm;V«>t\-;s^.;rnj Should be threatened with aniiilulution by the power

'*^ ^ThrcW?e^ the International Secretariat of Tru<le Unions to

investii^ate in wluit way^ the intertvalionul solidarity of the workers may be niost exiicdiently ar)>*anized.

F,ir tlie near future the Coiiyrej^s recomxnends— .^ i , ,

The more intimate untl permanent drawnur together oi the labor or- £runiv.atinn.s in each country across the frontiers; ^ ^ . . .^. . ^

The revision '^f the statutes of the. ^societies and federations, with _a view to elimtnatinK ii'^nn these rej-TuUitions everything that would constitute a hindrance ta effertive wnd immediate internutunml action;

The improvement and the extension of internatiDiuU relations ot tiie SneiahHt and lahor pr. i^^ ; StHnaiint jinirnalists of *|i'^^^ >^'*\»'^Ti V Y..l.iV,t'^

j;rant (arly i

conilict i^^ hnivniu'iit or has already been declared .should he particu- recincHted to tran.nut prompt and aecurate t^pmi^ J>f, ^ ^^ /;!!"''^'ilo..iS

tl tile inf^s ami im- »H« "' " ' •'• »".'■■ «""J ■ -...,-- -■-

l"n.ni lluH ju4nl .-t vunv it is iUso- of the hmlu'st nvnuirtaiice for the wlu,h. I »>r .nnvrm.-,.i oJ the wnrhl tl.ut iher« Rl».itl«l ex.Kt everywhere a SoCialiHt !».■♦",'. whidi i^ i.MWwful «'nnuKh la HIhtuIc the inasHe.s from the

IfuKliT «if Swil^-.erhuid i.reKenlca ihe rcsolulicm, and in si>eaking on It ficni-fs^f*! .surprise that the Socsulist atid trade tmion movement ol l-AiroiH' hud not .Hht>wn {,n'<''it«i' anxiety ihati they had done to promote \\xv rau.HC r>f {ntcrnati.mal working class enumcipation by suinKU-tini?- tin- Svvfdish \vorkers in ihoir great strug-glc against capi- uUtsm. lie ^im\ that the Swedisli trade tijuons had received much moral hut Hltk: materia! su<>port from the i^reat nations. No leas than 3CXVW ««ap!e had l»een deprived of resources by llic capitalists. Norway aiul l>eninark had matle heroic sacrifices. Denmark had c<mtrih«l«d mm^ pounds and Gernmny 64(X)0 paunds but France had L-iven only 30C) puurtds and Bdguim nothitiff I'mally. the g^reat- i:st suriH-ise had l»een the lack of all hut the shR;htest help from the

■^"^'R^ aiff* A?Sw of the British delegation replied that tlxey ad- mitted at once that they had faded in their duty to their Swedish

"f «

fellow workmen. Pie explained ihat the Enj^lish trade unions are old, that they were established before Soeialirtt propa.£>'anda be^'un, and the task of inltisino- Socialist ideas and international feelinf>- into them has been more diffi'citlt than in eountries Avhere Socialist teach- ing- has preceded trade union organizations.

He closed %vith the assurance that British trade unions are !)e- coming more and more international in spirit and arc steadily buildinq- up the machinery by which international solidarity can be realizecb The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Con^^Toss.

The next report was on the subject of international labor leg-is- lation. The following- is the resolution submitted by the committee:

I^esolution on Labor Legislation.

meni imperj

In no country do the laws even approximate that which i.s ah.snUUely necessary :n the interests of the workers, and which could be Rranted witli- out detrmient to existing industry.

. The Congress reiterates the followinjr minimum deinatuls retjardinir lems the^'Pads' cSnfiT^ workers (without distinction of sex) niadc by

1. A niaximiini working- day of eight hours.

2. Prohibition of boy and girl hibor undi;r fmirtocn years

3. Prohibition of night work, exeeiit where tht; nattirt- of the work or tne demands of public welfare ninkt; it inevitable.

4. Uninterrupted rest of at lea.st thirty-six li.nu-.s in each week ftn- all

5. Complete .suppre.csian of the truck system.

6. Abh-olutc rig-ht of combination.

.» 7. Effective and thoraugh in.spcction of working conditions, aK'ncnUiiral as well as industnal, with the co^op<;ration of persons elected i>y tlut workert.

• tA^i-^ '"''■''Vifv?^ the Paris Coufrre.s.'i, conferences of Rovernment.s were held m Berlm in 18 0 and in Born in 3906. and international proposals wl -en de tor the protection of workcr.s; but in spjte of the IcMmthy ne^'oti-itiVm.* vtrv httle positive leg slatJon has resulted, hecau.se of tlu/ oj uKskio V f e mZ ernxng classes, who fear that their. class intercuts would h« iijurVd hereby in spite of tl,c fact that in no country ha.s any branch < f i, { "try wfrcml from the protection of the workers, but rather'^ha.s th« improvei ent f Ihe em oyS da's''""''^ workers bencrucd ^jcncral cJvilis^t^tion and also I

in childbed, widows, orphans and the unemployed; the administration of such measures to be under the control of the workers/ani the ™ treat mcnt to be given to foreigners as to tho.se belonffing to the country

I he existing laws for the protection and insurance of the workers are totally inadequate to meet the necessary and justifiable requirements of the workers. Only by the tenacious persistence of the workers can further re- lorms be obtained.

The Confi-ress therefore calls tipon the workers of all nations, whether occupied in mdn.s-try, in cpmmerce, m agrriculture, or in any other branch to, break down the opposition of the soverning classes and, by uncekslim agitation, and strong and perfect organization, both political and indtist'riah to win for themselves real and effective protection. «i.ji.irj<i.,

Molkenbuhr of Germany, reporter for the comniittee, spoke on the resolution. . He pointed out the effect on the laboring clas.s; of

^ 14 ■ . • ■ ■

Ial>or legislalion passctl in one country when similar leii^islation had uiJt been secured in other countries. For example, the factory legis- lation in Kntfiand raised the wages of Iin^^li^h working* women, but fhe German women workers were unal)lc to hold their own against the comjietition ol: the Rnglish' workers*

He reminded the Congress that the real obstacle to social re- C'.fusl ruction kiy^ not in the ojjposition of the capitalist class, but in the indiiTercnce oE the wen-king class, and one of the chief purposes of the lnternatio!ial Congress was to help arouse the interest and enthusiasm of the workers of all countries in behalf of their own emancipation.

The resolution was adopted by the Congress.

A special resolution on the right of asylum was submitted to the Congress by the Bureau.

Resolution on Right of Asylum.

in a iiiust tit*plora1tlc nianncr. Tims Jules Wezosol has boon roceutly ar- rested hi Boston upon the demand of Russia for hii? extradition.

Even i£njrkuui, cuntrary to all her traditions, coTi;4erits to employ this nracec'^^, vivdatinK the rif|lu of asylum, as ia the case of ihi^ revoliHJonary Hindoo, Suvarkur^ who, in an imprecedented manner* has been ;irr(*sted on brcu'h i^oil and e>aj:ulited without; any leiral formaHty.

Thir Con^res^s viK(jrously protests a^^ainst these criminal violauons oi the ri^jht t>f a^yltun, and xu'ucs liie pridelariat of ah countries to resist hy all thi* nu'uns of prf^paK^i^^ha and aKilation it possesses these assaults upon the di|.-inty und independeuct- of tiu'ir own cruuUries, winch xnenucc the liberty olfaction of t!ut w<irkinj.^ chiss and its iuternattonal solidarity.

Kier llurdie, who nujvcd the rcsohttion, dwelt on the pase of Savarkar, liu; Hindoo aj^ituior, who escaped from iJritish custody to French soil, but was handed l>uck to the British authorities. Jaures, Ise said, who was familiar Avith international law, held that the ex- tradition of Savarkar was illegal. Mardic contended that the right i»f asyhun i^^ tnnt of the i^Tcatest treasures nl political liberty. In lin^dand they had affordiMl protection to (iarihaldi, Maz/dni, Ko.ssuth ami Kuri Marx, ami bv so doini^- had conferred a precious heritag-e on civilis^aticnu lie held 'lurtlicr that the trial of Savarkar had tiot Inien a fair one. Me lutd been condemned as though he w^ere a mere crini- iuai, no reeofjuition of the political ptu'poHC of his action being- allowed.

The resolution was carried unatnmously.

Ac the iinal sittini:*: of the Conix»'esH, l\ Knudscn, one of the SoclaHst mayors of Copenhagen^ j>rcsitlet1.

The last resolution to he bron|:;ht before the Congress was the one on ro-operatives and their relation to political parties. The fol- lowhiff in the rcBolntion presentedi by the committee, Kai-ples of Aitslria being reporter for the committee:

Resolution on Co-Operation,

Taking' into con^ideralion that dtstrxlnUivt! co-operative socieric:^ arc yr abie to secure Uvr their tncuihcrH iniinediatc material advantitKCs, but

■ 15 ■

also capable of first increasing the influence of the proletariat by the chnnna- tion of private commercial enterprise, and, secondly, by betterinvc the coinh- iion of the working classes by means of productive services orKJ^nizied h_y themselves and by~ educating- tlie workers in the independent deinocrati*- management of social means of exchange and prodticticni;

Considering- also that co-operation alone is incaisable of rL'ahxm^■ the atm Socialism, which is the acquisition of political power for the purpose of

of S(

mg' class has the strong* „ . ,

the class strugg-lc and urges all Socialists and all members of trade nmons to take part in the co-operative movement, in order to develop themselves in the spirit of Socialism and keep the co-operative societies from any^ devia- tion from the path of education and the promotion of working class s<didarity.

The Socialist members of co-operative societies are m'g-ed to endeavor in ihese societies to see that the profits are not entirely returned to the mem- bers, but that part is devoted, either by the society itself or by the federa- tion of wholesale societies, to the development of production and the educa- tion and instruction, in order —

1st. That the conditions of wages and work in the co-operative societies shall be regulated in accordance with trade union rules.

2nd. That the orc^anization of the conditions oi employmeut in v.n- operative societies shall be the best possible, ancl that no purchases of goods shall lie made without regard to the condition of the pr<,>ducers-

It is left to the co-operative or^atuxaLions of each country to decide for themselves whether and to what extent they will aid from their reKotrrces the political and trade union movement.

Furthermore, bciny; convinced that the services which Cf>o|ieratiou can lender to the working class will be the greater in proportiini us the co- operative movement is itself strony; ajid united, tiie Coiu^ress declares that It is desirable that the co-operative societies of each country which is cfinsti- tuted on this basis and subscribes to this present resolution .shouUl form ti .sing'le federation.

It declares, besides, that the workinfi cJass in its Htru^rf^Ie uKSunst capituU ism is espccialiy concerned that trade i;nion.s, co-operativ« .societies and the Socialist Party, while preserving each its own unity and uutouoruy, should enter into relations more and more intimatt! with one another.

Irving* of Engdand ^pokc agaiiusi. the rcsffhttion, sa^Miit^ thai in the case of the Ent^-linh co-oj)erativcs thc)^ hutl not the sUj^httt.Hl tin- derstanding of Socialism and were made ttp uf liberal and conserva- tive working-men.

Von Elm of Germany defended the resolutlan antl ixnnied out that the English co-operative nnjvement in crettin^" its wonderful organisation for the distribution and creatioit <>I wealth was, whether consciously or unconsciously, btiiUling* up the econonuc foundations of Socialism, The resohttion wa.^ :tdoi)ted, the American delegates votiiig in favon

The work of the Congrci^s was then completed. It remahted only to decide on the time and place of the next InternatitJual Congress. Adler of Vlienna invited the International Congress to meet at: Vienna in 1913, This invitation was ttnanimpusly accepted. The Coniijres:?^ closed with six speeches, one in CTcrman, one in En|:»;!ishj one in French, one in Swedish, one in Danish and a speech by Vandervelde as chairman of the Bureath

Molkenbuhr made the closings speech in German. He paid a hig-h tribute to the achievements of the Danish party in x>arliament and in the industrialatid municipal life of the nation.

. .16 ■■"

mikiuifc made the clcsing- Eng'lish speech. He said: ''The Eng- lish delegations, because of the position of their countries, are more shut out than others from personal acquaintance with the comrades of other hinds. For them tluB Internutional Socialist Congress has a special importance, not because, of the resolutions and practical measures, but because of the personal meeting- with comrades of other countries. When we look at this assembly, which represents thirty to forty milHon organized men and women workers, in trade unions, co-operatives and political org-ani^ations, and when we turn our g'lance back over the history of the movement and its irresistible g-rowth in the face of persecution, we are forced to admit to^ our- selves tliat this movement is itself u g'uaranty of our ultunate triumph."

Jaures made the closin.^- speech in French, dwelling on the im- portance of international unity and pointing out the dangers of militarism.

Ih-anting of Sweden, speaking in the name of the Swedish, Fin- nish and Norwegian delegations, pohited out that within atid beside the great International there exists a special brotherhood among the Scandinavians, and that the more iirmly the Scandinavian peoples hold together the more easily they can make their full power felt in the international movement.

Kn.Mlsen of r>eumark thanked tlic Congress for coming to Copeii- hagen. and said that the Socialists of Denmark would always recal that day with in-ide. In closing, he said: '*The nations are divided by manv thiuL^s— ™l)y speech, customs, state and religion. l>ut \ve are all tinited V>n one thing---ever to work and struggle for the vic- li:try of the proletariat of all lands.''

' Vanderve!(k\ as chairman of the Ihtreau, closed the Congress and was gre<!ted with cheers for International Socialism,

The Ouun-i'ss rose to its feet and in turn each delegation Ijegan ^mging it^ reVohuionarv si>ng, 'llie Danes began with the ^'Inter^ national." the Germans and Austrians united in their Workers Song,** the Knglish and Americans sang the **Red Mag, and the French closetl with the ^'International/*

The <kdegates to the Congress were received by the Danish So- cialists on the closing evening in the City TTall of Copenhagen, where speeches were made by tin- two Socialist mayors of the city, to- ^*,ether with delegates from all the countries reivresented,

The value of the International Socialist Congress cannot be measured l>v the resohilions that were passeiU although these in them- selves have'great significance. The really great work of the Congress was the bringing togellier a! nearly a thi.usatid delegates from the various countries of^hc world and there emibiing them to become acquaint^ with the i^roblems that face the struggling proletariat of ci^ther lands. An hour spent in listening to any one of the discus- sions in the committees gave a better insight into the conditions that the Socialists of "other countries are forced to meet than could pos- sibly be gained in any other way.

By pa'^sing resolutions on such questions as the conditions m Persia. Turkey, Finland, etc., the eyes of the laboring world were

■■'■'.' 17 ^ '

focused upon these countries, wlaerc especially hard strug-gles are being* uiade by the woi-kei^s.

The Congress was a meethig- of those who are agreed on all the fundamentals of Socialism, the strugg'le of the classes and tlie economic basis of social moveinonts. Therefore thcr.e was no time spent in discussing* thcox-etical questions. The subjects dealt with were those that the Socialist movement in each country is facing today in its strug:gle for the workers. The question of militarism, the problem of the unemployed and the discussion of labor legislation are all matters of the greatest moment to the workers today in reach- ing* their ultiinate goal.

The American deleg*ates to the Congress believe that Xh(,^y have grained much by attendin,Gr it; they believe that the movement in the United States will receive much g'ood from the International Socialist CongTess, and that when in 1913 another American dclegution at- tends the Congress at Vienna the movement in the United States will have made such progress that the deleg'ates will T>e aljlc to pre- sent to the international Congrcs.s some of the problems that are of especialj vital interest in America.

18

-4

Second International Conference of Socialist Women

AT COPENHAGEN

Opening Friday, Aug^ust 26, at 9 XD'Clock in the Morning,

(This is not an accoinit of the proceedings of the Conference, it is merely a copy of the program).

Provisional Agenda, i

1. Opening

2. Measures for securing more regular relations between the orgatiisied So- cialist Women of all coi^ntries.

3. Practicui work in favor of universal Woman Suffrage, viz.: Adult Siifltrage.

4. Social protection anci provision for motherhood and infants.

5. Various matters,

— .. -o:^ '

Provisional Standing Order.

1. The Bttreaii h composed of the first and second president and two secre- taries.

2. Sittings arc hcUl from 0 to 1 o*clock in the morniisR and from 3 to 7 o'clock tn the afternoon.

3. Motk.uji coneerninvT t^H* difTeronl points of the atji.*nda have to be brouj-vht Ml written and nnist be backed by at least ten deletvates. if they shall be discussed.

4* Motioi^K cnnceriiing the siandinj^ order may he proposed viva voce, mu^t lie l»acki'd by at le-ist the delegates and have to lie Heulcd at once.

5* CUjsnre or adjournment uf the ilehales beinj^ proposed, it is oidy aUowecl t0 speak once |)ro or contra,

ih Who wishes to speak, lias to hantl over hiH name in writing,

7. Supporters of private m<ittous art; allowed to speak but twenty-five min- utes, tiebaters only ten minutes. Holjody is aliowcd to speak more than twice about the Hfune fiue«ition-™except .Hupporter,s of isrivatu niolionK.

B* Rescjhuions are carried by the altsfhue majority of the delegates; in case uf parity of votes the motion in considered to he rejected,

9. VotiiiK is done 1iy KhowiuK hands; if prviposed by teti delegates, there must be votin^^ by nations.

— -« — :o: — '

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS.

To the Agenda.

L The action of Socialist Women for the maintenance of Peace.

British International Socialist Women's Bureau, Iwondon.

2. What sbuli w<nneu do to ctnnbat militarism internationaUy and secure peace^ Women^s Chtb Stockholm-South.

3. As It can be sta*ed a;^ a fact^ that ignorance and prejudice about tlie rela- tion of sexes, contempt of the tmmarried mother and her want of rights in society sre sotne of the Rrcaie.Ht obstacles In emancipating women, and as even the title given io women depends on their relation to the tnan» the Conference resolves to discuss the following (luestion : How shall worn eh work with the chatice to combat effectively the obstacle to defmite emancipation of the female sSck, accoi^ding- to the above-mentioned argitments? Women's Chtb Stockhoh-n-Sonth.

'.'.■■':■' ■ -19

To Point 2 of the Agenda — Measures for Securing 'More Regular Relations Between the Organized Socialist Women

of All Countries.

1. Considering the nuiltifoi-in conditions of carrying- on the econoniic and political struggle of the organized women workers;

considering the ^reiit importance of the exainplc of the more advanced ccnin- tries for the economically and politically less developed ones;

considering- the hence following importance of an intenxalional mutual under- standing

the Women's Conference decides to take in view that^ there is estahlished at the International Socialist Bureau an International Inquiry Ofliee for sociuUsl women workers' or^ivuzntkms of the 'whole world, which slioukl receive all infor- mation concerning working women.

Silesian and Cracoviau Women's OrganizationH of the Polisli Social- Democratic I'arty of Silesia and Galicia (Atistiian Poland),

2. In order to render easier understandin.i^ atul also international solidariiy of the working- ciass^ the Women's Conference resolves to urge all CiHtors of socialist women's papers to exchange their jotirnals hetween themselves.

Silesian and Cracovian Women's OrKani;^atiiins for the Polish Social- Democratic Party of Silesia and Galicia (Austrian Poland).

3. The Executive and all leadinj^ organixations of the Social -l.)enu>eratic women's movement in the different cfjxintries liave to wive regular notii-e to the International Socialist Women's Secretary of the orMani:?ations. their state, the nuinhcr of their members, their propaganda and orRani/.ations' wark as well as of great actual questions coming- forth, the actions carried out ihereat by women and tlie Social-Democratic Party and the position talcen up I)y working women towards these matters.

Genera! Women's Club StDckludin.

4. The Intentational Socialist Women's Secretary is ImiuikI to nive tfie h'.xv cnlives of Socialist owmen's societies and Socialist wciniiu's papers in Ihe differt'ul countries notice of tlie participation of working women in the workers* movement: this information shall be based upon the njKtrts sent tit the ^rcrelary Innn all countries. General Women's Club St^ickholni.

5. The Conference decides the foundatiot» of an International Sociali'^t Women's Paper which not only has to publish the reports alumt the IiUernational Socialist Women's Movement, but also has to discuss hy our princitile the w«>nj*^n*s question in all its extent and connection, and slnnv ut( its inipt)riuncc ftu' thi* socialist movement, in'^'^ceediuK from the qttestions appearinn uctttally in the cliflev ent comitries and concerning the wonien's niuveinent.

Federation of Socialist Wumeti's Clidis in Holland.

To Point 3 of the Agenda^ — -Practical "Work in Favor of Universal

Woman Suffrage,

1. Concerning- Woman Suffrajye tlie Second hiternatianal C"onference o( Socialist Women confirms the resolution carried by the Fir.Ht Conference at Hrutt-- gart in 1907.

Considering tlic numy attempts to cheat the great majority of the female -sex by a limited women's enfranchisement and block thits in the same timts one nf t!u* ways of the whole proletariat to the conquest of the political power, tho tron- ferencc emphasii^es again especially these principles:

''The Socialist Wometi's movement of all couiUries repudiate.^ the Jimit<*d W!omati*s Suffrapre as a falaification of and tnsnlt to the principle a£ the politicu! ectuality of the female sex. ft fights for the only Uvint*' concrete <ixpressu'»n of this principle: the nniversal woman's sulTrage which is open to all adults and bound by no conditions of property, payment of taxes, or decrees of cdtKation or any other qualifications, which exclude members <)f the workinj^f class from ih^ enjoy mcnt of the right. They carry on their struggle not in alliance with the hourKeoln Women's Rij^hters, but in alliance with the Socialist Parties, and these Hght for Woman's Suffrasre as one of the demands which from the point of \'jew of ptht-

20

( ■■ ■

" \

ciple and practice is moat important for a complete democratization of the suiTtrage/'

Considering the increasing- impurtance of the political emancipation of the female sex for the proletarian class-struggle, the Confereticc calls further attention to the following' ruk^s of tactics :

"The Socialist Parties in all countries are bound to fight with energy for the introduction of Woman Suffrage. Consequently their fight for the democratiza- tion of the Suffrage in the legislative and administrative bodies in tlie State and Commune mtist especially be fought also as a struggle in favor of Woman Suf- frage, and they tnust raise this demand in their propaganda ivs well as in the Parliament, and insist on it \Yith all their power. In countries where Manhood Suffrage is already far advanced or completely achieved, the Socialist Parties must take up the fight for the universal Woman's Suffrage, and with that naturally pvit forward all the demands which reiuaiu in order to obtain complete citizenship for the male i*rol<itariat.

It is the duty of the Socialist Women's movement in all countries to take part in all struggles which the Socialist Parties fight for the democratization o£ the Suffrage, and that with all possil)!e energy; but also to see that in this fight the question of the univci-sal Woman Suffrage is insisted on with due regard to its importance of principle and practice.*'

The Social-Democi'atic Women of Germany and the Federation of the Social-Democratic Party's organization of Berlin and neighborhood.

2. In order to forward political enfranchisement of women it is the duty of the Socialist wometi of all countries to agitate according to the above-named prin- ciples indefaligatilj'' among the laboring masses; onlighten them by discotirses and literature abcuit the social neee,ssity and importance of tlie political emancipation of the female sex and itsc thert^t'ore every njiportunity of doing so. For that propa- ganda they have to niake the most especially of elections to all sorts of political and public bodies. In case the women have the right of voting at such bodies -— local atid provincial administrative bodies, arbitration-courts for trade disputes, iitalo sickness insurance— the women must be urged to make full and reasonable use of their right; if the wonicxt have no vote at all, or a limited one, the socialist women must unite and guide them into the struggle for their right; in any case, there must be cMuphasixed Ihorougldy the demand for full i^oHtical Women Suf- frage.

On occajiion of the annual May demonstration — without regard to its form — ■ the request of full political equality of the sexes must lie prochiimed and substan- tiated. In agreifment with the class-conscious political and trade orgaiuzationg of the proletariat in their cmmtry the socialist women of all nationalities have to orgaui:«e a special Wonuni's Day, whicii in first line has to promote Women Suf- frage propaganda. This demand nmst^ be discussed in connection with the whole women^s question according to the socialist conception of social things. The con- ference must have an international character and be prepared with care.

Clara Zetkin, Kate Duncker ami other comrades.

3. Considering that even in those countries in which the so-called universal sufi'rage exists, oxdy one-half of the adult population enjoy it, but the women are disfranchised ;

considering that only the action of the whole proletariat: whhout any distinc- tion of seK is creating a power strong enough to attain the ends pursued by the struggling and enlightened working class, and taking into account that the struggle for emancipation of the working women will IJe tremendously advanced, if we make the demand of political rights for w^omen one of the most actual* reforms we strive for;

The Second International Women^s Conference resolves to urge all Socialist parliamentary grovips to support most energetically those efforts of tlic women and advocate their full enfranchisement. The conference calls the working W0men*s organi/atinns nl all countries to a fervent propaganda in favor of the political qtmlification of their sex.

Sik'sian and Cracovian Women's Organizations of the Polish Social-Democratic Party of Silesia and Gaiicia

(Austrian Poland)-

4. In opposition to the Congress of the bourgeois International Women's Suf- frage Alliance at London in 19i)9t the Social- Democratic Wi>men*s Conference

.■■"■■■, 21

emphasizes the principle that the question of woman enfranchisement can only he solved on the basis of universal, equal and direct aviflfrage without any restric- tions. Therefore the conference urges the Social-Democratic parlianieiUary groups to be energetic supporters of the working women's interest, whenever su^rraj^e ques- tions are before the parliaments, in order-to bring about a just dealinf^ with this matter g'uaranteehig every woman her full chartered franchise.

To conquer universal suffrage for all adults without distinction of sex there must be worked by speeches, conferences, meetings and discussions, by spreading literature, as pamphlets, leaflets, articles in women's papers and the Social-Demo- cratic press; by national and international demonstrations; besides the socialist women and tlieir organisations must work in that direction on all occasions, where in the different countries constitutional questions arc to be treated.

General Women's Clul), Stockholm.

To Point 4 of the Agenda — Social Protection and Provision for

Motherhood and Infants,

1, That this Congress, demanding as it does the National and International ownership of the means of production and distribution, anirnis, that it is the duty of the community to maintain tlie child-bearing women, infants, and children attending school.

British International Socialist Women's Bureau, London.

2. The Second International Conference of Socialist W'omen at Copenhagen demands the followmg measures of social protection for mother and child :

I. Of the Labor Legislation.

a. The legal eight hours' day for all women workers above 18 years of age; the six hours' day for girls above 16 and under 18 years of age; the four hours' day for children above 14 and under 16 years; the prohibition of all waxje-earnmg labor for chihh-en under tlie age of 14,

b. I'he prohibition to employ women in such ot)Crations which by their whole nature must be particularly hijurious for mother and child.

c.

d. I weeks nefore the conlinement.

e. For women in childbed tlie prohibition of working for eight weeks, if tlie

chdd lives, for six weeks after al.>ortions or if the child dies within this tinte,

f. For nursing women the cstabiislmient of nursing-rooms in the factories.

IL Of the State, Sickness or Motherhood Insurance.

a. In case of unemployment caused by pregnancy an obiiRatory subsidy for eiglit wcelcs.

b. "

of abortions.

c. I.evelling the subsidies paid to pregnant women, women in childbed and

nursing ones with the average daily wages.

d. Granting of obstetric services"^ medical treatment of pregnancy and child- bed ailments and care for women in childbed at their home by skilled nurses.

e. Kxtcnsion of these measures on all laboring women — includhig aRriculturai

laborers, home workers and maid servants — as well as on all womi^n whose families do not earn more than 2S0 £.

III. Of the Communality.

Establishment of lyhis-in hospKals, asylums for pregnant women, women in childbed and infants; organ ideation of attendance to women in childlied at Ihelr home by special nurses; granting of benefits for nursing \vomen ns lonj^ as the

22

mothers do not get ^subsidies during the nursing' period by the state insurance; pro- \iding good, sterile babies' milk.

IV. Of the State.

a. Contributions paid to ihe Sickness and Motherhood Insurance and coni- niunalitics in order to enable them to satisfy our demands.

b, EnlightenmenL oi women how to periorni suitably their maternal duties by introducing into the obligatory continuatio]i classes training for girls in the care and management of infants. Distribution of leaflets contain- ing instructions about nursing women in childbed, managing and feeding' infants.

The Conference requests the following; social provisions for the child, besides granting a uniform, gratuitous and lay instruction based on the integral educa- tion in schools whose leading principle is to develop the child's capacities by labor and for labor:

a. Establishment of lay nursery schools and "kindergarten" (play schools).

b. Obligatory, gratuitous feedinjj of all school children, in school times, of unprovided ones even in holidays and vacancies.

c. listablishnient of school homes where unprovided children are looked after

in physical and moral respect in leisure times, including holidays.

d. Hstablishment of sport, trips and camps for holidays.

e. listablit-hmeiit of baths, halls for s\¥iniming and gymnastic exercises and

school gardens.

f. Appointment of school physicians and school dentists.

g. Foimdation of sanatoriums and wood schools for , sickly and weakly children.

The Social Democratic Women of Germany.

3. That the tendency to make use of hoy and girl labor in monotonous and uneducalional work is destructive in its results upon t)ie health, character and sub- sequent indu^rtrial efliciency of the boys and ^irls themselves and upon the rates of wattes antl chance of continued empluyuient of men and women, this con- ference therefore urges the fiesirabiliiy of so raising' the standard of education iVA to secure to every hoy and girl up tt» the ivag of 18 cITicient physical and technical training, and of making where necessary some provision for their maintenance dur- ing that period.

Women's I^abor League, Great Bruam.

als^ sanatoria, and convalescent homes, at the public expense.

Women's Labor I-eagno, Great Britain.

S. That in vi„nv of the nuusber of distressing cases where after the death of the father of the familv the widow is unable to provide the necessities of life for herself and her children and of the resultant injin-y to the community, this congress ur^e.s the universal establishment of State Insurance for widows in the interests especially of those with younj? children and those incapacitated by age or Illness. ^ .

Women's Labor League, Great Bntam.

The conference declares it an absolute duty of the state to protect defense-

urges

to really modern and just poitits of view. , ^,, , ^ ,. ,

General Women's Chib, Stockholm.

7. Considering: the success obtained hi Sweden by arranjjjini^ "lectures o( fairy tales and lei^euds" and the importance of a clear undcrstandmj^ of women of the j^reat danger of the EnMii^ih l?ook Cuntrcd Mr^vement as beinij; full of cleri- cal and militarist Kpint, the conference is earnestly invited to commission the dele-

23

grates of the cUfTerent countries to endeavor in their respective organizations, that the children may he united and amused in the same educational niaimer as it is Lhu case by t!ie lectures in Sweden.

Women's Cluh, Stoclchohn-Sotith,

To Point 5 of the Agenda — Various Matters.

1. That in all provisions made to secure the right to work to ahle-bodied citi- zens, and thus do away with the terrible results of unemployment, special care. should be taken ro meet the needs of women and girls dependent on their own earnings.

Women's Labor I-eague, Great Britain.

2. Considering the actions of the women as far as they take part in the work- ing class movement, are an organis:ed component of that movement itself, in which no special selfish interests arc supported, the conference urges all organized \Yomen cf the world to stand in rank and file with the Social-Democratic Parties and Labor organizations and without regard, whether direct interests of the female proletarian are fought for, always to think that every success must raise the whole working class.

Silesian and Cracovian Women's Organizations of the Polish Social-Democratic Party of Silesia and Gallcia

(Austrian Poland).

3. Tlie conference urges the Social-Democratic Parlies to enhKhten women everywhere about Socialism, and to do so still more intensely than i>efnre. and in a manner regarding the special conditions of the diflcrent countries; fur- ther to inform the proletariat women of tlic successes of the workers' movement, the means used therein (co-operative societies, trade unions, unti-alcohol move- ment), and above all, about the political action of the Socialist Parties.

General Women's Club, Stockholm,

4. The conference declares; All political organizations and trade unions of women, as well as the women's papers working for the special education of the female sex, as far as they recognize the class struggle, have a right to material and moral support by the Social- Democracy.

General Women's Club, Stockhoifni.

5. As it is absolutely necessary to win women over for the ideas of Socialism, as therefore intense propaganda is required, an<l as it is very sme that this propa- ganda and education work is done best by women lhc*mselveH, llje ennfereuce U asked to debate, whetlu:;r founding specitd Social-Democratic Womcni's Federattonii is useful, and declare in what ways agitation among women should be carried on best

Women's Chib, Stockliohn-South,

H. G. Aaair, Printitigr, 154 West Tjftke St.» Ghlcagro

24

Oi

Request Date: 23-FEB-2009 Expiration Date: 04-MAR-2009 ILL Number;

wV

ILL Number: 2984711 '' Call Number: N/A Q^OfO /fOL (o^f'ff Format: Monograph

Author: International Socialist Congress (8th ; 1910 : Copenhagen, Denmark) Title: Report of Socialist party delegation and proceedings of the International socialist congress at Copenhagen, 1910,

Pub. Place: [Chicago, H.G. Adair, printing, 1910?] Requester: TEXAS STATE UNIV-SAN MARCOS - Interlibrary Loan

Patron Name: Wright, Jonathan Patron e-mail; Service Level: Delivery Method: Library Mail

Request Note: FAX/ARIEL:512-245-3002/Ariel

147.26.108.32 OCLC Rcq. Ex. Source: ILLiad Need by Date: 25-MAR-2009 Vcrincation Source: <TN:172849>OCLC Supplier Reference;

TGQorOCLC#:

TGQ or OCLC #: 51201943 ID: TXl ISBN/ISSN:

ilillll

Address: 64 SATvia

TEXpress/AlkekLibrary/Interl ibrary Loan/Texas State University-San Marcos/601 University Drivc/San Marcos, TX 78666

Service TypeteUewr* (^ 0^- Max Cost: USD50 Payment Type: IFM

Supplier Reference: ILLNUM:51201943 Owned By;

Copyright Compliance:

Requester Symbol: OCLC:TXI

Return To: ILL SHIELDS LIBRARY / UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA. DAVIS / 1 00 N.W. QUAD / DAVIS CA 95616-5292 / U.S.A./ ARIEL: 169.237.75.50 /FAX 530-752-7815/ shieldsinierloan@ucdavis.cdu